Coupler



Aug. 11, 1936. v. R. MAYNARD COUPLER Filed May 18, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l VAN C E E. MHYHH/D Aug. l1, 1936. v. R. MAYNARD COUPLER Filed May 18, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 EEEEEEEEEEEEE D m M M E E WU gmc/Wto@ Patented Aug. 11, 1936 UNITED? STATES PATENT-lorries is claims, (cl. :est-6 1) This invention relates to a harness connector and more especially to a harness-connector which has means for accurate screw adjustment wherebythe height of the harness can be adjusted and will remain in adjusted position without vthe necessity of .disconnectingthe harness connector.

or cordvfrom the harness.

In many harness connectors, heretofore used,

this adjustment has been unsatisfactory because it ls impossible to obtain'minute and permanent adjustments as to the height of the harnesses. It

is, therefore, an object of this invention to pro- Vide arharness connector, the overall length of which may be varied without the necessity of detaching either the harness frame or cord from the connector.

It is a further object ofrthis invention to provide means on a harness connector which will maintain the adjustment `in the same position during the operation of the loom. It is a well known fact that when leather or other brous material isfused for a connector that a certain amount of stretch will occur and cause the shed to bind the shuttle in its travel. Since the overall length of my harness connector will not vary after it has been placed Vin operative position, it is evident that each.r harness frame will maintain the same relation with respect to the cords at all times.

The invention is notonly applicable to harness connections, but may be used for coupling any two members together such as rods and the like.

Some of the-objects of the invention having been stated,'the .invention will more fully appear in the detailed description hereinafter following, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of Va strap and a harness connector associated therewith, connected to the upper portion of a harness frame;

Figure 2 is a side view of a portionA of Figure 1 on an enlarged scale with portions broken away;

Figure 3 is a viewl of a modified form of the invention; 4'5 Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 with portions shown in section; f y

Figure 5 is a view of another modified form o f the invention;

Figure 6 is a View similar to Figure 5 with por- 50 tions shown in section; Y

Figure '7 is asectional View takenfalong line I--'I in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a view of still another slightlymodi fied form of the invention;

B5` Figure 9 is a view similar to-Figure' 8 with por-ed to rest a truncated pyramidal sleeve or nut 25.

tions.` shown infsection and with the adjusting sleeve or nut in a diierent position;

l Figure 10 is an isometric view of the adjusting sleeve or nut shown inl Figures 8 and 9;

Figure 11 is a' view ofanother form of the in- 5- venti'on-:which is especially adapted for heavy duty;v

J Figure 12 is an isometric view of the adjusting sleeves'or nuts shown in Figure 11;

Figure 13 is another slightly modified form of lu the invention;

IFigure V14 is a view similar to Figure 13 with portions shown in section and with the adjusting sleeve or nut in a different position;

Figure l5 is anisometric View of the adjusting 15 sleeve or nut used in Figures 13 and 14.

Figure 1'6 is a view, partly in section showing a modified form of Figure 2 and showing a coupler for wires, cables, rods and theY like. Y

Referring more particularly to the drawings the 2o numeral IU indicates a conventional portion of a loom such as a yoke disposed thereabove on which a plurality of rollers I I are mounted, there being a roller for each of the cords I2 which imparts up and down motion to the harness frame 25 I3 during the weaving operation. To the lower end'of strap I2 is secured a downwardly extending threaded rod VI4 which has an enlarged offset portion I5 on the lower end thereof, said olset portion having a smooth bore therein whichl is penetrated by rod I6. The upperV end 'of rod I6 has an loiset portion I 'I which also has a smooth bore therein and the bore is penetrated by threaded rod I4.

f VThreadably mounted on rod I 4 is a sleeve or nut I8, having a beveled face I9y which is adapted to coincide with the lower face of enlarged portion I'l When the harness connector is in operative position. It is evident that when sleeve or nut I8 assumes the position shown in Figures 1 and 2 [lo that relative movement is impossible on account 0f thebeveled surface I9 engaging the enlarged portion I1.

The lower end of rod,v I6 has a suitable hook 2l thereon lwhichis.adapted to engage harness strap 22, which, in turn, is connected to hook 23 in harness frame. I3. Since many conventional harnesses are pulled downwardly by suitable tension springs, not shown, securedto the lower side of lce theharness frames, it is seenthat portion I'I will 50 always engage sleeve or nut I8 thus preventing anyfrotative movement.

In Figures 3 and 4 a slightly modified vform is shown in `which enlarged portion I'I'has a truncated'pyramidal cavity therein in which is adapt- In this form the sleeve or nut 25 prevents the threads on rod I4 from being battered by the cavity in portion I In Figures 5, 6 and 7 another form of the invention is shown in which cord I2 has secured thereto a threaded rod or shank 26 which projects downwardly and penetrates a smooth bore in the upper end of a. body member 21. The central portion of member 21 has a slot therein forming sidewalls 28 and 29 which are adapted to engage head portion 30 disposed on the lower end of rod 26 and act as guides for holding the lower portion of rod 26 in its proper position. It will be noted by referring to Figure '7 that portion 3B has lugs 3| integral therewith which engage sidewalls 28 and 29 and prevent lateral or rotative movement of rod 26. A sleeve or nut 32 with pointed projections 33 on the upper end thereof is threadably secured on rod 26. 'I'hese projections are adapted to t into a suitable notch disposed in the upper end of the body member 21 when .the connector is in operative position. By `slightly raising the harness frame I3 and turning sleeve or nut 32 the necessary adjustment can be made as to the height of the harness frame.

Figures 8, 9 and 10 show another form of the invention similar to that shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7, but instead of using a sleeve or nut 32, a sleeve or nut 35 having an extension sleeve portion 36 is used which is adapted to threadably engage the shank or rod 26. Sleeve portion 36 penetrates a bore 31 in the upper end of body member 21 and prevents the threads on rod 26 from becoming scarred or mutilated when the connector is in operation. The head portion of sleeve or nut 35 has pointed projections 38 on the upper end thereof which are identical to the projections 33 on sleeve or nut 32.

Figures 1l and 12 show a form similar to those shown in Figures 2 and 3. Cord I2 has secured to the lower end thereof a downwardly extending threaded rod 40 which has integral with lower end thereof an oiset enlarged portion 4|. This portion has a smooth bore therein which is penetrated by an exension sleeve 42 integral with a sleeve or nut 43. Projections 44 are made integral with sleeve or nut 43 and are adapted to engage suitable notches in enlarged portion 4| to hold the nut 43 in position. Nut 43 and extension sleeve 42 are threadably secured on another rod 45. which projects upwardly and has on the upper edge thereof an offset enlarged portion 46 similar in all respect to portion 4|. Another extension sleeve 42 with a nut 43 integral therewith is adapted to penetrate a .bore in portion 46 and this extension sleeve and nut are threadably mounted on rod 46.l This type of harness connector is particularly adapted for use in heavy work where greater strength and stability of the harness connector is desired together with quick and accurate adjustment.

Figures 13, 14 and 15 show a form similar to that shown in Figures 8, 9 and l0 witha vslight modication of `the adjusting sleeve or nut. In this form a sleeve or nut 5D is threadably mounted on rod 26 and this nu't has a restricted portion 5| with notches 52 cut away in the sides thereof. An extension sleeve 53 is made integral with restricted portion 5| and is adapted to fit in bore 54 in the upper end of member 21 to prevent mutilation of the threads on rod 26. The portions 5|and 52 are likewise adapted to fit 'in cavity 56 when the connector is in operative position, and on account of cut-away portions 52, rotative movement of nut 5U is prevented.

It is seen that quick and accurate adjustment is made with any of the forms of connectors shown by slightly raising the harness frame I3 and turning the adjusting sleeves or nuts. This can be done without detaching the connector and when the adjustment has been made it remains in this same position until the harness frame is again Vraised by manual means. It is also evident that there is no way for the connector to become disconnected and allow the harness frame to drop.

Figure 16 shows a coupler which can be used, not only as a harness connector, but for coupling any two members together, and like reference characters apply, except adjusting sleeve or nut I8 has an extension sleeve Ia to protect the threads on member I4. Member I4 instead of being connected to cord I2 has a hook |8b. It is thus seen that hooks 2| and |8b can be connected to any desired objects for adjustably connecting the same together.

In the drawings and specicatlon there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in `the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A connector comprising a, threaded rod, a smooth rod, means on vsaid threaded rod for slidably engaging said smooth rod, means on vsaid smooth rod for slidably engaging said threaded rod, an adjusting sleeve threadably engaging said threaded rod .and normally engaging said slidably engaging means on said smooth rod.

2. A connector comprising a threaded rod, a smooth rod, lmeans on said threaded rod for engaging said smooth rod, means on said smooth rod for slidably engaging said threaded rod, an adjusting sleeve threadably engaging said threaded rod and normally engaging the slidably engaging means `on said smooth rod, said slidably engaging means and sleeve having their adjacent surfaces beveled to prevent rotative movement of said nut when in operative position.

3. A connector comprising a threaded a smooth rod, means on said threaded rod for slidably engaging said smooth rod, means on said smooth rod for slidably engaging said threaded rod, a pyramidal adjusting sleeve threadably en gaging said threaded rod and normally engaging the slidably engaging means on the smooth rod, said slidably engaging means having a pyramidal cavity therein for receiving said Apyramdal sleeve to prevent rotative movement of said nut when in operative position.

4. A connector comprising a threaded rod, a smooth rod, means on said threaded rod for slidably engaging said smooth rod, means on said smooth rod for slidably engaging said threaded rod, an adjusting sleeve threadably engaging said threaded rod and normally engaging the slidably engaging means on said smooth rod, said sleeve having a portion integral therewith penetrating said slidably engaging means and surrounding a portion of said threaded rod.

5. A harness connector for looms including a member having a slot therein, a. threaded rod slidably disposed in said member and traversing said slot, said rod having an end portion with projections, a sleeve disposed in said slot and being threadably mounted on said rod, inter-engaging means on the sleeve and the member for holding the sleeve against turning movement on the rod while supporting the weight of the harness, and means on said member engaging the projections of the end portion of the rod for slidably supporting the rod against lateral movement.- Y

6. A harness connector for looms comprising an oblong member having a passageway extending longitudinally thereof for at least a major portion of its length and having an opening extending transversely thereof to communicate with the said passageway, a threaded rod slidably disposed in said passageway, a sleeve disposed on said rod and being disposed in the opening extending transversely of the oblong member, interengaging means on the sleeve and the oblong member preventing relative turning movement between the sleeve and the threaded rod when opposed forces are applied to the oblong member and the threaded rod, one end of the threaded rod projecting from the oblong member, and the other end of said rod being supported against lateral movement in said passageway, and providing a stop for preventing disengagement of said rod and said oblong member.

'7. An adjustable connector including a body portion, a shank extending from one end of said body portion, said shank being provided with threads, a sleeve engaging said threads for adjusting said shank with respect to said body portion, means for maintaining said shank in adjusted position, and a member carried by said shank and slidable within said body portion for preventing rotation of said shank with respect to said body portion.

8. An adjustable connector including a body portion, a shank extending from one end of said body portion, said shank being provided with threads, a sleeve engaging said threads for adjusting said shank with respect to said body portion, a tongue and groove for maintaining said shank in adjusted position, and a member carried by said shank and slidable within said body portion for preventing rotation of said shank with respect to said body portion.

9. A connector for loom harness including a body, guideways formed therein, harness engaging means at one end of said body and fixed with respect thereto, harness engaging means at the other end of said body and having a portion extending within said body, said portion including a member slidable in said guideways, and means for adjusting and locking said second mentioned harness engaging means in a selected position.

10. A connector for loom harness including a body, guideways formed therein, harness engaging means at one end of said body and fixed with respect thereto, harness engaging means at the other end of said body and having a portion extending within said body, said portion including a member slidable in said guideways, adjusting means for varying the position of said second mentioned harness engaging means, and a locking device co-operating with said adjusting means for maintaining said second mentioned harness engaging means in a selected position` ll. An adjustable connector including a body, guideways in said body, connecting means at one end of said body, connecting means at the other end of said body having a portion extending within said body, said portion including a member slidable in said guideways, adjusting means for varying the position of said second mentioned connecting means, and a locking device cooperating with said adjusting means for maintaining said second mentioned connecting means in a selected position. Y

12. In a connector, a threaded rod having projections thereon, a sleeve threadably secured on said rod, a member through which said rod passes normally supported by the head of said sleeve, locking means integral with said sleeve for engaging said member to prevent rotative movement of said sleeve when in operative position, and other means on the member for slidably engaging the projections on said rod to hold the rod and member in alinement.

13. An adjustable connector including a longitudinally extending member, a threaded member extending longitudinally with respect to said first member and slidably mounted with respect thereto, means for preventing rotation and disengagement of said members with respect to each other, a sleeve mounted on said threaded portion and engaging said longitudinally extending member for adjusting the relative position of one member with respect to the other, and means for maintaining said members in. adjusted positions.

14. An adjustable connector including a longitudinally extending member, a threaded member extending longitudinally with respect to said rst member and slidably mounted with respect thereto, meansfor preventing rotation and disengagement of said members with respect to each other, a sleeve mounted on said threaded portion and engaging said longitudinally extending member for adjusting the relative position of one member with respect to the other, and coacting locking means on said sleeve and said first named longitudinally extending member for maintaining said members in adjusted positions.

15. In a connector, a threaded rod, a sleeve threadably secured on said rod, a member through a portion of which said rod passes, said member engaging said sleeve and being normally supported by the head of said sleeve, means on said sleeve and said member for locking said sleeve against rotation, and means integral with the end of said rod slidably engaging said member to hold said rod and said member in alinement and preventing disengagement of said rod and said member.V

16. A harness connector comprising a member for slidably receiving a threaded rod, said member having a slot therein in which the threaded rod is disposed, said threaded rod having a portion for preventing disengagement of the rod from the member, a nut threadably mounted on said rod and disposed in said slot and having means thereon for interengagement with portions of said member whereby the weight of the harness will normally hold the nut in adjusted position with relation to the member, and means in said member for slidably receiving the disengagement preventing portion of the rod for guiding and supporting the same against lateral movement, and for holding the same against rotary movement.

17. Harness frame supporting means for looms comprising a slotted member having a threaded rod slidably disposed therein, a sleeve threadably mounted on the rod and disposed in said slot, means on and between the sleeve and the member for holding the sleeve against turning due to the weight of the harness frame, and longitudinally extending guides in the slotted member for receiving the free end portion of said rod for guiding the same and supporting the rod against lateral movement.

18. A connector comprising two substantially parallel rods, means on the end of each rod for l5 slidably engaging the adjoining rod and limiting the extensibility of the two rods, one of the rods being threaded, a, sleeve on the threaded rod for adjusting the overall dimension of both rods. and inter-engaging means between the sleeve and the other rod for looking the same against movement when opposed forces are applied to the rods.

VANCE R. MAYNARD. 

